As smoke filled a training trailer and temperatures climbed into the 90s, Emily Taylor barked instructions to her partner. “One, two, three, pull!”

Working together, the Upper Macungie teen Ethan Lin dragged a rescue dummy to safety before racing to the next challenge. Minutes later, they were hoisting fire hoses and aiming water at a distant target as family members watched.

The exercise was part of Upper Macungie Township Fire Department’s annual Junior Services Academy, a weeklong program designed to give young people an inside look at careers in police, fire and emergency medical services.

Held July 13 to 17 at Station No. 56, the academy welcomed 24 participants ages 12 to 16 for five days of hands-on training, demonstrations and real-world emergency scenarios.

“This camp is a great opportunity and can help shape a career in emergency services,” said Rushetta Guerra of Breinigsville.

Each day focused on a different aspect of emergency services. Mornings featured classroom instruction and demonstrations, while afternoons allowed participants to work directly alongside first responders.

Monday focused on law enforcement. Participants learned traffic-stop procedures, fingerprinting techniques, negotiations and handcuffing. They also experienced the dangers of impaired driving through specially designed impairment goggles that simulate the effects of alcohol, drugs and marijuana.

Upper Macungie residents Bella Lous and Saadiyah Vines navigated a golf cart through a cone course while wearing the goggles. Although they completed the course easily under normal conditions, their performance changed dramatically while wearing the simulated impairment devices, crushing several cones. Officer Bill Rohrbach used the exercise to help participants understand the dangers of impaired driving and the role officers play in keeping communities safe.

On Tuesday, participants completed CPR, first aid and Stop the Bleed training and earned certifications in all three.

Kerry Baldwin of Cetronia Ambulance helped instruct and evaluate throughout medical training exercises.

On Wednesday, participants learned search-and-rescue techniques, hose operations and firefighting procedures. They also rode in the department’s bucket truck to experience the heights firefighters encounter.

On Friday, those lessons were put to the test as participants raced to don full firefighting gear before entering a smoke-filled training trailer to locate and rescue a victim. Once outside, they treated injuries, performed CPR and advanced fire hoses before boarding the truck to hit elevated targets with water streams.

Thursday’s activities took participants beyond the fire station. The group toured the Lehigh County Courthouse, Lehigh County Prison and the county communications center, providing a behind-the-scenes look at emergency services and the justice system.

Vines described the communications center as one of the most eye-opening experiences of the week. “For over an hour, we watched all these buttons,” she said. “It was hard.”

The week culminated with Challenge Day, when participants demonstrated the skills they learned in realistic scenarios, observed by family members.

Parents crowded around training stations as participants rotated through exercises.

Among the memorable challenges was a simulated domestic dispute involving members of the Lehigh County SWAT team and retired police officers as role players.

Maya Guerra and Sam Shadlow impressed instructors with their approach to the negotiation exercise. Rather than standing over the subject, the pair positioned themselves at eye level. Guerra’s calm tone helped de-escalate the encounter, while Shadlow monitored the surroundings and supported his partner.

Following the exercise, instructors provided feedback highlighting both the participants’ strengths and areas for improvement.

For Taylor, a three-year academy veteran, the week demonstrated how much she has grown.

Whether directing her partner through a rescue scenario or coordinating hose operations, she displayed confidence and strong communication skills developed through years in the program.

Her mother described this year as bittersweet because Taylor has reached the program’s age limit.

Taylor hopes to pursue a career in emergency services and views the academy as an important step toward that goal. Fortunately for her family, a younger brother is expected to join the program next year.

The Junior Services Academy brings together professionals from across Lehigh County, including the Upper Macungie Police Department, Upper Macungie Fire Department, Cetronia Ambulance, members of the Lehigh County SWAT team and retired emergency-services personnel.

In addition to learning how police, fire and EMS agencies work together, participants leave with practical skills, industry certifications and a better understanding of careers dedicated to public safety.

For many, the week’s biggest lesson extends beyond firefighting, law enforcement or emergency medicine.

It’s learning what it means to serve others.